City Life Starter

The Word: I Corinthians 10: 14-22

14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18 Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? 19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

By Blesson C Selvanesan

In this chapter Paul addresses about the role of Lord in daily lives and give the Corinthian believers practical tips for a holy and separated life from the surrounding pagans. In this regard, he is exhorting believers to exercise wisdom and to apply commonsense about their participation in certain aspects of idol worship. Based on the passage, it is obvious that some believers have participated in eating the ritualistic food sacrificed at the alter of pagan gods which are demons. There appears to be a confusion among the new believers if this is acceptable. In this context, he tries to reason with them why this is not a healthy and acceptable practice. Once a believer is born again and is part of a local church, he or she partake in Lord’s supper and there by become one with God. Then, one cannot take part in fellowship with demons by accepting the ritual food sacrificed before idols. Paul tells the believers one cannot have both ways as God is a jealous God.

Application

It’s hard for a westerners to understand this concept of food sacrificed to idols. It is a very common practice in many eastern religions and it’s a daily occurrence in many households and temples. Similar sacrifices were common in Corinth during the time of Paul. In the light of the new-found freedom that Christ offered for believers, people did not know where to draw the line, Paul promptly draws a boundary. Anyone with the knowledge of the old testament knows that this violates first and second commandments. When new believers came from the non-Jewish background came to Christ, they lacked the knowledge.

God is a Holy God. Jesus purchased all the believers by giving His blood as a ransom and we have been redeemed into the kingdom of God. When a believer knowingly partakes in eating food offered to idols, it is pledging allegiance to the demon and participating in demon and idol worship. This is against the basic tenets of Christianity. One cannot travel by two boats travelling in opposite directions at the same time! One cannot serve God and demon at the same time. Many believer’s knowingly or unknowingly participate in such rituals when traveling to eastern countries. One needs to be very careful and avoid participating in such practices as it is against the Word of God.

Prayer

Dear Lord, help us to keep as the center of my life. Let your mercy sustain me and give me grace to live a life that is set apart from the world. Help me to glorify and worship you alone. Let my actions of worship and fellowship be a sacred offering to you and let nothing comes between you and me. Sustain me Lord. In Jesus Name. Amen.